2020 Chevrolet Corvette review
Chevrolet Corvette highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- This is a truly powerful sports car
- The handling is on point and the driver feels in control
- Relatively attainable price
Cons
- It's a pain to get in and even harder to get out of one
- Rear visibility is quite poor
- The Corvette is missing some of the latest advanced driver aid features
Mileage (EPA estimate)
15 city, 27 highway, 19 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
2020 Chevrolet Corvette reinvents itself
For the 2020 model year, Chevrolet reinvented the Corvette by scrapping the previous front-engine layout for an all-new mid-engine layout. The result rewarded both Chevrolet and longtime fans of the beloved Corvette with a thrilling sports car that regularly outshines cars costing two or three times as much. The 'Vette features a 6.2-liter V8 and dual-clutch automatic transmission, a potent combination on track that is supplemented by impressively balanced handling and grip. This is a driver's car that is accessible to novices.
The Corvette lost a little of its famous day-to-day practicality in the transition to the new design, sacrificing total cargo area. Behind the engine there’s a big enough space to fit a few pieces of luggage, plus there’s a small frunk in the nose. The interior design is heavily driver-focused; that's phenomenal if you're driving the car, but your passenger may be less enthusiastic. Rear visibility is also poor, though Chevrolet has tried to mitigate this with driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and a rearview camera to limited effect.
All Chevrolet Corvette years
What is new for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette?
- The Corvette is available in a variety of new trims, including the Stingray 1LT, Stingray 2LT, and Stingray 3LT.
- The Grand Sport, Stingray, Stingray Z51, Z06, and ZR1 trims have been discontinued for 2020.
- Corvette trims have been upgraded with Parking Sensors, Remote Start, Blind Spot Monitor, Heated Steering Wheel, 6001, and Hard Top as standard equipment this year.
- Leatherette Seats and Skylight(s) features are now available as options on select trims.
2020 Chevrolet Corvette trims
1LT: Includes 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, Bose® 10-speaker audio system, Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus, HD rear camera, GT1 bucket seats, coupe or convertible body style, and available Z51 performance package.
2LT: Unlocks tech upgrades like Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium, Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system, wireless phone charging, head-up display, performance data video recorder, heated and vented seats, and more.
3LT: Packs in a luxurious interior with GT2 bucket seats featuring carbon-fiber trim, leather-wrapped interior seating and touch surfaces, and microfiber-wrapped interior trim on surfaces such as the headliner and A-pillars.
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette
What We Like
Performance: The Corvette stands out, even in a class filled with stand-out performers. The Z51 rocketed from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds in Edmunds’ testing using launch control and cleared the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, exceeding speeds of 120 mph. Beyond that, the power and handling is intuitive and easy to manage.
Comfort: The Magnetic Ride Control suspension system delivers a smooth, comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. That makes the Corvette a road-trip champion, just like its predecessors.
Price: We're not going to pretend the Corvette is an economy car, but it goes toe-to-toe with vehicles like the Porsche 911 and the BMW Z4 with a much lower price point.
What Needs Improvement
Driver aids: Unfortunately, while the Corvette is one of the most advanced cars Chevrolet has ever made, advanced driver assist systems like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control aren’t available. It’s an oversight, especially considering they’re commonplace even on economy cars sold in 2020.
Similar vehicles
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The Jaguar F-Type is a gorgeous sports car with an equally beautiful interior and exhaust note. This is a sports car in the traditional sense, quick and precise over brute force horsepower. Since 2014, the F-Type brings the power with a range of engine options, including a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, a supercharged 3.0L V6, and a supercharged 5.0L V8 making 575 hp. Power transfers to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission or the more proper six-speed manual transmission. Across all model years, there are hatchback or convertible body styles, and all-wheel drive is available mainly for performance, but it can pull you through bad weather too.
The 2017-2018 Jaguar F-Type SVR features:
5.0L V8 engine with eight-speed automatic transmission
14-way power front seats
12-speaker Meridian™ audio system
The Dodge Challenger is arguably one of the last true muscle cars still on the market. With its brawny retro looks and surprisingly comfy and spacious interior, the Challenger isn't trying to compete with the sports cars, but that's where it shines. The Challenger excels at soaking up bumps on long highway drives and providing genuine room for four adults (although rear-seat passengers should be on the shorter side). Dodge keeps updating the Challenger with new engines, like the wild SRT Hellcat with 797 hp from a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine (2018 onward). Lower trims offer the convenience of all-wheel drive.
The 2018-2022 Dodge Challenger GT features:
305-hp 3.6L V6 engine with eight-speed automatic transmission
19-inch wheels
Heated front seats
The original “pony car," the Ford Mustang has reinvented itself over the years, becoming a surprisingly effective sports car. The 2015-present Mustang splits the difference between a muscle car and a sports car, with sports car nimbleness and a muscle car's everyday livable suspension and comfort. The base setup on 2015-present models is a 2.3L turbo four-cylinder engine, making an impressive 310 hp. Connected to a fun six-speed manual transmission, the Mustang only drives the rear wheels. The GT trim increases the firepower—the 460-hp 5.0L V8 is better with the stick, but the 10-speed automatic is faster and simply better in stop-and-go traffic.
The 2015-2020 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack delivers:
19-inch wheels
15-inch front rotors and six-piston Brembo® calipers
Magnetorheological dampers
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Chevrolet Corvette an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Chevrolet Corvette 26th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Chevrolet CorvetteChevrolet Corvette features and specs
Stingray 1LT 2WD 2D Convertible
Standard Features
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- BOSE Sound System
- Cruise Control
- Hard Top
- Leather Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Leather Seats
- Leatherette Seats
- Navigation System
- Rear Spoiler
- Run Flat Tires
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
6.2L
Horsepower
490
Torque (ft-lbs)
465
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
107.2"
Overall length
182.3"
Width
76.1"
Height
48.6"
Leg room
F 42.8"
Head room
F 37.9"
Front tires
245/35ZR19
Rear tires
305/30ZR20
Seating capacity
2
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Chevrolet Corvette FAQ
The 2020 Corvette has improved performance over the previous model year, with a distinctive exterior design, upgraded interior, and new technology. Over-the-air updates can unlock even more features in the future. Whether you're a longtime fan or considering something sporty for your next car, the Corvette is one to check out.
The top tier of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette trims is 3LT. Other years offer higher-end Z06 and ZR1 trim levels, entirely transforming the performance of the car. Because 2020 was the first year of the eighth generation, the trim levels topped out at the 3LT.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car, with its traditional focus on handling and the driving experience. While the Corvette has the power of a muscle car, that class of car has more seats and more weight—at the expense of handling and braking. You'll enjoy the V8 rumble from the Corvette, but it's a sports car through and through.
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has a top speed of 194 mph (when new). With the addition of the Z51 package, the aerodynamics increase downforce for stability, but create drag and lower the top speed to 184 mph (when new). This is a worthwhile payoff for the increased cornering ability.
The Stingray name on a Corvette dates back to the 1960s, when it denoted a high-performance version. The name was dropped in the mid-1970s but returned with the 2014 model year. The Stingray name no longer has a specific meaning, other than a nod to Corvette heritage.
More about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette
Color options
Exterior colors:
Accelerate Yellow
Arctic White
Black
Blade Silver
Ceramic Matrix Gray
Elkhart Lake Blue
Long Beach Red
Rapid Blue
Sebring Orange
Shadow Gray
Torch Red
Zeus Bronze
Interior colors:
Adrenaline Red
Jet Black
Natural
Morello Red Dipped
Sky Cool Gray
Tension/Twilight Blue Dipped
Interior details
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has a driver-focused design, which is instantly clear when you slide into the driver's seat. The bucket seats have massive lumbar support, but are still comfortable enough for road trips. A 12-inch reconfigurable display sits behind the meaty squared-off steering wheel, while the center infotainment angles toward the driver and the center stack of controls have been replaced by a large angular row of buttons that bisects the cabin.
There are three seat choices, six interior colors, and even several stitching colors that line the center console, dash, and headliner. Materials lean heavily toward the high-end, with Nappa leather, authentic carbon fiber, and real metal trims.
Child seat details
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette coupe and convertible models are not designed for most car seats. Since there are no rear seats, the 2020 Corvette front passenger seat should be treated like any other front seat—off-limits to children under a certain age. There are no LATCH points for the front seats, and booster car seats are for children who are too young to sit up front. Children age 13 and up are approved for the front seat, as they are the appropriate weight for the airbags and safety systems.
Performance
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette has a 6.2L V8 engine making 490 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. This mid-mounted engine connects to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for lightning-fast shifts, and it sends power to the rear wheels. The Z51 performance package adds 5 hp and 5 lb-ft to any trim level. This combo is good for a zero to 60 mph sprint in just 2.8 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 11.2 seconds (according to the manufacturer, when new).
The top speed for a base Corvette is estimated at 194 mph when new. Equally impressive is the handling, hitting 1.04g on the skid pad—an unheard-of figure for a streetcar 20 years ago. If you want to drive a little more economically, the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette with the V8 engine gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg combined.
Year comparison
2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette (Seventh Generation)
The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette launched the seventh generation with bold and sharpened styling and exciting performance trims. The 2014-2019 Corvette is the traditional design, with the 6.2L V8 engine up front, under the long and low hood. This engine makes 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.
2015 swapped the six-speed transmission for an eight-speed, and introduced the high-performance Z06 package with a supercharger, 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, numerous suspension improvements, huge wheels, and massive brakes. 2017 introduced the Grand Sport trim, which is essentially a Z06 body and suspension upgrades with the base drivetrain.
The last major update for the C7 was the 2019 ZR1. The same 6.2L V8 engine got a truckload of upgrades, including a bigger supercharger to wallop out 755 hp and 715 lb-ft. You'll know the ZR1 by its wild aerodynamic body modifications and massive intakes.
2020-Present Chevrolet Corvette (Eighth Generation)
The biggest change for the 2020 model year was the mid-engine configuration, with the engine placed behind the driver instead of in front. Changes were minor in 2021, mainly limited to color, gaining Red Mist and Silver Flare options on the outside and Sky Cool Gray and Strike Yellow options on the inside. 2022 changed colors again, adding Amplify Orange, Caffeine Metallic, and Hypersonic Gray, and an optional race-inspired appearance package.
The big news for 2023 is the return of the Z06 trim. This time the Z06 gets a specially hand-built engine featuring a 5.5L V8 that can rev to 8,500 rpm. The new engine does not need a supercharger to reach 670 hp and 460 lb-ft.
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